Senior Staff / Principal Machine Learning Engineer - Autonomy Behaviors
Hybrid Foster City Full-time Senior Machine Learning Engineering
At a glance
Senior Machine Learning Engineering role at Zoox. Foster City · full-time · $340,000–$492,000 base.
SalaryStated by Zoox
$340,000 – $492,000
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
RoleMachine Learning Engineering
SenioritySenior
LocationFoster City
WorkplaceHybrid
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$340,000–$492,000
PostedNov 4, 2025 · 11mo ago
Role brief
aimlroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Set the technical course for machine learning work on the next-generation Planner
- Develop onboard Planner models using imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and model scaling
- Find improvements to ML development through better metrics, data, and training frameworks
- Create ways to bring Foundation Models into the ML Planner
- Guide ML developers and work across autonomy, simulation, system design, and safety teams
What you bring
- At least ten years of experience, with strong programming, algorithm design, and mathematics skills
- A computer science degree or a related discipline, at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level
- A record of technical leadership in large AI organizations and substantial experience putting deep learning models into production
- Fluency in C++, or Python fluency paired with a basic grasp of C++
Who this fits
This senior technical leadership role suits an experienced ML engineer who can shape model development and mentor other developers. The role is hybrid in Foster City, California.
From the employer
The Autonomy Behaviors team is responsible for producing our vehicle’s driving trajectory. As a Principal ML Engineer, you will lead the technical development of machine learning algorithms for our next-generation ML Planner. Your impact will range from delivering innovations for immediate milestones to pioneering exploratory projects. You will collaborate closely with teams specializing in Foundation Models, Perception, Simulation, and Safety Validation, in influencing our autonomy stack. Your role will look at problems in a way that crosses team boundaries to prototype new approaches that influence the long term technical direction of multiple organizations within the company.
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AccommodationsIf you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note:You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.
In this role, you will:
- Set the technical direction of ML development for the future of our Planner
- Push the frontiers of imitation learning, reinforcement learning, and model scaling to develop new ML models for our onboard Planner
- Identify and drive force-multipliers for ML development, including metrics, data, and training frameworks
- Develop new methods to leverage Zoox’s Foundation Models into the ML Planner
- Provide technical mentorship to the broader group of ML developers at Zoox
- Collaborate with engineers across Autonomy Software, Simulation, System Design and Mission Assurance, and other departments to solve the overall Autonomous Driving problem in complex urban environments
Qualifications
- BS, MS, or PhD degree in computer science or related field
- Proven track record of technical leadership in large-scale AI organizations
- Significant experience with training and deploying Deep Learning models to production
- Fluency in C++ or Fluency in Python with a basic understanding of C++
- Extensive experience with programming and algorithm design-Strong mathematics skills, 10+ years of experience
Bonus Qualifications
- Conference or Journal publications in Machine Learning or Robotics related venues
- Prior experience with Prediction and Planning for autonomous vehicles
Follow us on LinkedIn
AccommodationsIf you need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process please reach out to accommodations@zoox.com or your assigned recruiter.
A Final Note:You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.